Dieffenbachia hybrida Paradise

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Dieffenbachia known as Dieffenbachia Hybrida Paradise which is a seedling cross between Marianne and Wilson&#39;s Delight.

The invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Dieffenbachiaknown as Dieffenbachia Hybrida Paradise.

The new cultivar is a product of a seedling cross between DieffenbachiaMarianne and Wilson's Delight.

The following observations, measurements and values describe plantsgrown in Alva, Fla. under greenhouse conditions that closely approximatethose generally used in horticultural practice. All color references aremeasured against The Royal Horticultural Society colour chart. Colorsare approximate as color depends on horticultural practices such aslight level and fertilization rate among others.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed to be characteristicswhich in combination distinguish Dieffenbachia Paradise from othercommercially available Dieffenbachia.

Distinctions

1. The leaf is oval compared to other commercial Dieffenbachia.

2. The midrib is white on both sides of the leaf.

3. The leaf is completely patterned with green and yellow blotchesfading to white with age oriented in long files about 45° relative tothe midrib.

4. The leaves are held relatively upright so both sides can be seen.

5. The surface of the leaf is not deeply ribbed but is fairly flat withthin closely spaced (1 mm) sunken, secondary veins going from the midriband merging at the leaf margin.

6. The leaf is very thick but flexible.

7. The breaks produce large leaves quickly.

8. The leaf tip is cupped slightly.

The appearance and distinctive character of Paradise is shown in theFIGURE which is a true color photograph of the cultivar in an eight-inchpot.

DESCRIPTION

Propagation: Asexual production either through tissue culture ordivision.

Plant: In a 6 inch pot, Paradise will be approximately 20 cm to 24 cmfrom the soil surface to the junction of the petioles of the last twounrolled leaves and approximately 38 cm to 40 cm in width afterapproximately 26 weeks to 36 weeks under appropriate growing conditionsfrom tissue culture. All measurements are based on the above parameters.

Stem:

Growth pattern.--The stem is erect in growth and will be approximately2.2 cm to 2.4 cm in diameter at a height of 5 cm above the soil surface.Internode distance will be approximately 1.4 cm to 1.8 cm at a height of3 cm above the soil.

Color.--The stem is green with gray green blotches.

Petiole (based on the fourth expanded leaf from apex of the dominantshoot):

Pattern.--The petiole has fleshy edges extending from the midrib thatwill be referred to as wings. The wings will be approximately 7 mm to 9mm wide 1 cm below the leaf base. The wings extend from the base of thepetiole to within approximately 0.1 cm to 0.3 cm of the leaf base onupper leaves and approximately 1.2 cm to 1.8 cm on lower leaves. Theapex of the wings is emarginate. The petiole follows the stem axis butdiverges from the axis approximately 3.5 cm to 4.5 cm from the leaf baseforming a horizontal distance from the edge of the stem to the leaf baseof approximately 1.5 cm to 2.0 cm.

Physical dimensions.--The petiole will be approximately 8.4 to 9.0 cmfrom its base to the base of the leaf. The petiole will be approximately6 mm to 8 mm in diameter one half way between the top of the wing to thebottom of the leaf.

Color and color pattern.--The petiole wings will be green and the midribwill be greenish white.

Leaf:

Growth pattern.--The leaf will be orbicular with an aristate/cuspidateapex and a cordate base. The margin is entire. The leaf is asymmetricwith the side of the leaf unrolling first having less surface area andless undulations on the leaf margin than the side unrolling last. Theleaf is oriented 5° to the stem axis at the time of full unrollingchanging to 60° to the stem axis as more leaves unroll above it. Themidrib is slightly drooped over the length of the leaf. The leaf bladeis flat from the midrib to the margin.

Physical dimensions.--For the potsize and growing time indicated, thelargest leaf will be approximately 20 cm to 23 cm long and approximately12.5 cm to 14.0 cm wide. An average sized leaf will be approximately 18cm to 21 cm long and approximately 11 cm to 13 cm wide. The leafthickness is medium.

Midrib.--The midrib is thick and is white with green at the base of theleaf.

Primary veins.--The primary veins are sunken into the adaxial side andprotruding out of the abaxial side.

Color and pattern.--The adaxial surface of the mature, older leaf has amidrib color of 145 at the junction with the petiole, abruptly changingto 157A immediately above, and a leaf blade background and blotch ofcolor of 157B and 144A with leaf edge and irregular leaf blade areas of139A. The abaxial surface of the mature, older leaf has a midrib coloropf 155A, with main veins of 155A changing to 137A as they approach theleaf edge; the leaf blade background color is 137A, blotched with 137D.The adaxial surface of the newly-opened leaf has a midrib color of 155Cand a leaf blade background color of 139A with blotches of 1C, 1Dradiating from the midrib. The abaxial surface of the newly-opened leafhas a midrib of 155A, with main veins of 155A, changing to 137C as theyapproach the leaf edge, and a leaf blade background color of 137C,blotched with small areas of 145 B.

Texture.--The leaf is slightly rigged and very reticulate on the adaxialside and smooth on the abaxial side.

Axillary breaks: There will be approximately 5 to 7 axillary breaks withat least 1 leaf expanded. Leaves will show color by the second leaf andwill have true color and pattern by the third leaf.

Inflorescences: not present.

Roots: Thick white roots with finer laterals.

General observations: Dieffenbachia Paradise is unique in the shape ofthe leaf and the coloration pattern. The leaves are upright and havewhite veins on both sides giving good color throughout the plant and avery dense appearance. The variegation is arranged in files giving theappearance of stripes. The leaves are thick and very stiff. The breaksdevelop large leaves quickly making the base of the plant fairly full.The plant has an overall yellow green appearance.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dieffenbachia as describedand illustrated.